Two Tampa Bay Buccaneers defenders are already drawing attention during the early stages of OTAs after noticeably bulking up during the offseason. Defensive lineman Elijah Simmons and defensive back Jacob Parrish both appeared to add significant size physically ahead of the 2026 season, something that could have a major impact on their roles within Todd Bowles’ defense.
For Simmons, the added bulk could help elevate his game as an interior defensive lineman.
The former Tennessee standout has always flashed impressive raw strength and movement ability for a player his size, but carrying more functional weight could help him become more consistent against the run and harder to move at the point of attack. That improvement would be important for Tampa Bay’s defensive line rotation behind the likes of Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey. Bowles values defensive linemen who can occupy space while controlling gaps and still create interior push, and Simmons’s addition of size could help him become a more dependable rotational piece in those areas.
As for Parrish, the added muscle could help take his game to another level physically, entering Year 2 in Tampa Bay’s system.
Parrish has already shown the quickness, fluidity, and competitiveness needed to play in Bowles’ defense, but adding noticeable size could help him better handle the physical demands that come with playing defensive back in the NFL. Tampa Bay asks its corners to play aggressively at the line of scrimmage, tackle consistently, and match up against bigger receivers throughout the season. If Parrish can maintain his speed and movement ability while carrying extra weight, it could allow him to play even more confidently and physically this season.
The Buccaneers have clearly emphasized strength and physicality throughout the roster this offseason, and early OTA looks suggest both Simmons and Parrish took that challenge seriously heading into 2026.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Elijah SImmons and Jacob Parrish added ‘notable size’ in offseason
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
